Minnow size can be crucial in cold weather

The size of the minnows you use can matter a great deal during the winter.

Cold water does inhibit the aggressiveness of crappie in terms of the bite, and lure and bait presentations must be on target. Limits of slabs can be caught when an angler give crappie what they want.

Crappie pro Rod Wall of Greenwood said one of his cold-weather secrets is to always bring two distinct sizes of minnows on each trip.

“Cold water doesn’t mean fish are automatically going to prefer small minnows,” he said. “I always bring at least what I term small and medium minnows and use each in a systemized process to discover exactly what the crappies prefer on a given day.

“Occasionally, it may not seem to matter, but often, the size of the minnow will make a dramatic difference; often, it’s a larger minnow trailing a jig and grub that gets it done. But a small minnow on a wire hook is also the key on other days. Bring both and be prepared.”

About Terry Madewell 827 Articles
Award-winning writer and photographer Terry Madewell of Ridgeway, S.C., has been an outdoors writer for more than 30 years. He has a degree in wildlife and fisheries management and has a long career as a professional wildlife biologist/natural resources manager.

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